Disc Golfing in The Comox Valley

This is a snap shot of this years Island summer series, and seen by me. Geoff McNamara. I have been playing disc golf for almost 6 years now, and I am loving it. I have stepped over the edge of "within reason", and I am well on my way to a higher way of being. O.C.D. That's right, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Well, maybe not REALLY but it sure seems like it at times. Both my wife and I are ridiculous about disc golfing.

This summer we had a wonderful time interacting with so many people in the disc golfing world, that I truly wish that I could make a full time gig of it. Dan Walker, and a sizable collection of people, hosted the first annual Island Summer series. Featuring players from all across Vancouver Island, fighting for the right to brag about kickin ass. Okay, that was a little over the edge. What it amounted to was a bunch of people from all walks of life, hanging out together in the woods, having a few beers, and playing with some super fun discs. Starting from the south, we had Victoria, Salt Spring Island, Pender Island, Nanaimo, Qualicum Bay, Comox Valley, Campbell River, Cortes Island, and last but not least, Cumberland. Even with all the ridiculous gas prices this summer, people made their way from home, to represent their hometown, hoping that they will bring back...there I go again. Why don't you stop me?...to meet the people that represent their hometown, and shake hands and have fun filled day. Every time. Granted this was my first real run at the "tournament series" thing, but in all the matches, on all the different locations, not once did I ever see people arguing, yelling, fighting, being rough with each other, or generally being rude. Oops, not true. There is one guy, and there always is, if he shows up sober, great day. If he shows up tanked, not a single person is safe from the verbal offence that is "coming soon to an area near you". Needless to say, because he is basically the only one that does it, he has become known for it and therefore is free to do so, because simply, that's what he does. It is his right alone though. If other people were to show up in the same condition, it wouldn't be tolerated. Unfair I am sure, but the way it is.

Moving on,

The entire point of that rant to was instill the lovely characteristics of people that ply their skills to the art of "chuckin' plastic". Wonderful environment, and I encourage all to be a part of it next year. Seeing all the different courses, the tricky shots, and hearing people cheer on their mates as they narrowly miss that magical, elusive sixty foot putt. " Woo hoo!" "Nice", "Great Shot!"

The beginning of the tournament series was off to a slow start for me. I failed to show on the Victoria end, or for the Pender Bender, simply due to scheduling conflicts with work. However, I managed to drag my sorry arse down to Salt Spring Island, and pulled a win out of my bag for 10 points and some cash to boot. The day was slow off the hop, but as the first round moved along, I began to see more than just a game around me. The Course is the Hart Memorial, formerly known as a Provincial Camp Ground. Massive trees rise up and intimidate you as you aim for the target hanging on or inside the tree. The targets by the way are not your average targets, they are chain link fence post cut to three feet long, and make a tremendous ringing noise when struck by the disc. But somewhat harder to hit, with the smaller diameter. Good choice. A must see for sure.
From there it was on to Campbell River, great course. Designed to be payed by the young and old, new and Pro's. They now have a tremendous skate park amongst other things, that if you're not a disc golf junkie like the rest of us, you will likely find something to do at the Sports Plex. The course is fun as always, and is showing the signs of your typical city course. Lots of action, and not enough respect. Though always a fun time. I pulled out a second place finish, enough for a few more dollars, and another eight points. I was starting to really like the season.
Cortes Island was a miss for me, but that's okay. I love Cortes and I know for a fact, that I will be back to play that course. One of my all time favourite courses.
Wait a minute, I missed Mary's Farm. What was I thinking?! What a place! Put up by a fellow from Victoria BC, his organization The Island Disc Golf Society, rents this great farm, owned by Mary. With a full on riding school present, the land is tremendous, and I will have pictures of it on here somewhere some I am sure. Acres of open land wavering, and heaving all over the place creating some spectacular shots. And what a day it was! I had my daughter with me as my "caddy" and she brought some great luck with her. (in reality it was the only way I could go, pay her to caddy for me, and split the winnings.) Eighteen pretty holes later, I sat near the top of the score board overall and stuck a first place for Advanced mens. But that was not the brightest part of the day oh no. The brightest part was on hole number eight, 260 feet to the pin, with a decrease in elevation by thirty feet or so. I stood on the tee pad, and it kills me to say it, I pulled out my 180 KC Roc, Pro white, and felt for the sweet spot. I snapped the release, and smashed it home in a grand arc for a hole in one1 So far the only person to have ever done so I might add in four years. So the challenge is out my friends, look for it on the tour dates and be sure to get to Mary's Farm. You will NOT be disappointed!

More to come soon, my mind hurts.
Cheers!
Geoff

Okay, so enough with the bragging. But as you can tell, I truly enjoy the sport, and would be sad if ever their came a time, that I couldn't play. This love of the sport is my driving force behind marketing the sport, and introducing it to as many people as I can. I feel it is important to share with others something that is good and whole. Easy to play for anybody, and is free to participate in. If you have a Frisbee, bring it to any course and start playing. That easy. If there is a severe lack of courses in your area, make one. It could be on your favourite trail, school ground, park. Make it up, and play. That simple. Free. Not to mention a great reason to go for a walk, and be a part of your community. Enjoy where we live and challenge yourself mentally. Sure life throws many challenges at us constantly, and most people don't want to "have more challenges". Neither do I. I do however believe that to deal with my daily stresses, I need to feel strong mentally to do so. There is nothing worse than trying to deal with a situation, and feel rusty mentally because you "haven't thought of it in awhile". There has to be balance in our mind. We can get that balance by presenting low impact, interactive, problem solving techniques to help us train our mind to think outsides the box. repetitive tasks help the mind grow and learn, that is referenced by many science journals. So why not have a good time doing it? This is wonderful!